Grant County OKs Emergency Management budget; director proposes two full-time staff and cyber committee
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Summary
The county approved EMA budget categories and heard a proposal to increase EMA staffing to two full-time positions and create a county cybersecurity committee. EMA Director outlined preparedness priorities, a $30,000 EMPG salary-reimbursement possibility, and school-safety coordination.
Grant County’s council approved Emergency Management Agency budget categories 2, 3 and 4 by voice vote after a lengthy briefing by the EMA director (Speaker 4).
The director described five mission areas—preparedness, protection, mitigation, response and recovery—and said the office has launched a county cybersecurity committee and is coordinating school-safety efforts with local administrators. He proposed restructuring EMA staffing from one full-time director and two part-time employees to two full-time and one part-time position, citing comparisons with similarly sized counties and an expected salary bump of roughly $12,000 to cover the change.
Speaker 4 said the EMPG (Emergency Management Performance Grant) provides a population-based salary reimbursement and that the county currently expects about $30,000 back for salary reimbursement if the state maintains that funding level. He said the proposed staffing structure more closely matches peer counties and would improve continuity for preparedness and response work.
Council approved the EMA request by voice vote after asking about benefits, reimbursement mechanics and how the office coordinates on hazardous-materials reporting and exercises. The director said he will consult with county commissioners and return with follow-up information as needed.